The Long Drive for Drought, powered by Ampol in 2023, kicked off its fourth year of fundraising last Friday. The iconic drive will cover over 2,500 kilometers, mainly on backroads, across Queensland and, for the first time, cross over into New South Wales.
Starting in Goondiwindi, the convoy of fifty classic 40 Series Toyota LandCruisers will head south across the border, making their first stop in Moree for the night. From there, they will pass back over into Queensland and continue northwest towards Hebel, then further west to Eulo. The route will then turn north through Eromanga and Windorah before heading west again to Bedourie. The journey will conclude in Birdsville for the legendary Birdsville Races.
The Long Drive for Drought aims to raise an additional $100,000 to add to the cumulative fundraising total of $265,466 for charity partner Drought Angels. The funds raised will help support disaster-affected farmers across Australia.
Founder of Drought Angels, Natasha Johnston, expressed her gratitude for the fundraising event, noting that it not only provides much-needed funds but also hope to the affected communities. Founder of the Long Drive, Brent Reeman, mentioned that the event initially started as a drought run but has evolved over time to support regions facing other disasters such as flood, fire, and plagues.
This year’s drive will also serve the purpose of promoting tourism in outback towns through Outback Queensland Tourism, benefiting local businesses and communities. In addition, it aims to create a sense of camaraderie and establish lifelong memories for the participants.
The success of reaching the fundraising goal is attributed to the support of various sponsors, including Ampol, Peak Services, Local Buy, Travla, Telstra, and many others from the LandCruiser community.
The drive was bid farewell in Goondiwindi, where residents gathered at the Showgrounds to support the convoy’s departure. A live Channel 7 Sunrise experience awaited the participants, with breakfast cooked up by Rotary. Event organizers encouraged everyone to wear a flannelette shirt in support of the fundraising campaign, Flanno for a Farmer Day.
Over eight nights and fifteen towns, the Long Drive for Drought will not only raise funds, but also raise awareness and support for the drought-stricken communities.
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